When it comes to enforcing regulations in the maritime, the Philippine Coast Guard is the government agency that implements this mandate. It enforces laws according to maritime international conventions, instruments, or treaties as well as national laws that promote the safety of maritime life and property within the jurisdiction of the Philippines.
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Moreover, PCG also implements port state control inspections, manages salvage operations, and administers policies to protect marine resources such as from pollution and from offshore sources. It performs other functions that are necessary to fulfill its mandate. As Filipinos, it’s important to understand how this government organization works and its overall impact on our lives.

What Is PCG?
The Philippine Coast Guard is a government agency that is mandated to implement rules and regulations in the maritime sector. The key role is to promote safety and security at sea for any life and property within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines. It enforces laws, salvage operations, flag and port state control inspections, and promulgates rules for marine environment protection.
The vision of PCG is to promote and preserve a safe, clean, and secure maritime environment for Filipinos. As to its mission, it aims to promote safety at sea, enforce applicable rules and regulations within Philippine waters, conduct maritime protection, and safeguard marine environment and other things that involve national development.
Benefits of PCG Programs and Services
The main benefit of the Philippine Coast Guard programs is that it helps achieve lasting peace while ensuring that the rule of law is properly implemented within Philippine waters. According to its mandate, it also uphold the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country while having the full capability to secure a conducive environment for national development.
PCG officers are like water policemen who ensures the waters within the jurisdiction of the Philippines are safe and secure. They have a very important role in keeping the borders of the country safe and strong from any potential harm. In addition to enforcing maritime law, PCG also helps wrecked vessels or those in distress near the coasts.
PCG Programs and Functions
As a maritime law enforcement agency, the Philippine Coast Guard performs some important roles mainly about maritime safety, environmental protection, security, and jurisdiction. Here are the key functions of PCG:
- Conduct search and rescue operations by responding to wrecked vessels or distress calls from captains at sea.
- Enforce maritime laws as well as rules and regulations within the jurisdiction of the Philippines.
- Provide humanitarian services by responding to emergencies and natural disasters mostly in coastal areas.
- Maintain maritime security while ensuring the safety of life and property at sea against piracy, terrorism, and other crimes that are committed in the Philippine waters.
- Protect the marine environment, particularly the coastal areas around the Philippines.
- Promote safety standards, conduct regular inspections, and implement training programs for aspiring PCG personnel.
Requirements for PCG Office Application
If you’re interested to apply as a Philippine Coast Guard officer, you need to meet some qualifications first. For instance, you need to have a Civil Service eligibility, and must be mentally and physically fit to fulfill all the responsibilities of a PCG officer. There’s also an Aptitude Battery Test that you need to pass in order to evaluate your personal characteristics and cognitive abilities.
Here’s a complete list of the minimum qualifications that you need to meet as a Coast Guard applicant:
- Must be a Filipino citizen
- With good moral character
- Single and 21 to 24 years old
- At least 5 feet in height
- Graduate of any bachelor’s degree with professional license
- Pass the Aptitude Battery Test
- Physically and mentally fit
- Civil Service Eligible
Note that these are the requirements for officers, and there is a different set of requirements for non-officers so make sure to visit the nearest PCG office in your area to get the exact requirements you need.
On the other hand, the following are the main requirements for applicants who want to become a Coast Guard officer:
- Duly accomplished Personal Information Sheet
- PCG Aptitude Battery Test Application Form
- Birth Certificate issued by PSA
- Official Transcript of Records
- TESDA Certificate or Senior High School diploma
Have all these documents photocopied before you submit them to your local PCG recruitment center. There may be some additional requirements that you need to submit depending on your desired position being applied for.

How to Apply as a Coast Guard Officer
To give you an idea how the Philippine Coast Guard do their recruitment process, here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Make sure you meet all the qualifications. Whether you’re applying for the non-officer or officer position, you must qualify first before submitting requirements. Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you can then proceed with your application.
Step 2: Submit the basic requirements. Secure the minimum requirements such as birth certificate, diploma or TESDA Certificate, Transcript of Records, Personal Information Sheet, and CG Aptitude Battery Test Application Form. Go to the nearest CG recruitment center and submit them.
Step 3: Take the Philippine Coast Guard Aptitude Battery Test. Once you have submitted all your requirements, the PCG staff will allow you to take the test which is intended to measure your leadership potential, personality, and cognitive abilities.
Step 4: Undergo the physical fitness exam. If you qualify for the ABT, the next step is to take a physical fitness test. This will help determine whether you are fit to become a Coast Guard officer.
Step 5: Take the neurological, dental, and medical exams. You need to take all these exams in order to see if you’re mentally and physically healthy to perform your duties if you get hired as Coast Guard personnel.
Step 6: Go through a final deliberation. After passing the tests and exams, the final deliberation will be scheduled to see if you’re fit to train as a PCG officer.
Step 7: Attend the oath-taking ceremony for new PCG trainees. Finally, if you’re chosen to be a PCG trainee, an oath-taking ceremony will be held along with other fellow trainees in order to officially join the Philippine Coast Guard.
The recruitment process for PCG trainees may differ based on each position being applied for, but these are the general guidelines to follow. Also, some positions may required additional steps or requirements. The important thing is that you follow the instructions while securing all the required documents so that you can be chosen as a trainee.
Video: The Three Ways to Join the Philippine Coast Guard
In this video, you will learn everything about the Philippine Coast Guard and how to join the maritime law enforcement agency. It also mentions the step-by-step process of the applications, eligibility requirements and qualifications. Watch until the end to know the benefits of PCG, Coast Guard Officer course, and a bit of the background of the maritime law enforcement and Philippine merchant marine.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the required documents for the PCG application?
The requirements when applying for PCG vary depending on your desired position. However, the general requirements include being a Filipino citizen, having good moral character, meeting the age limit, being mentally and physically fit, and other educational requirements.
2. What is the standard recruitment process for those who want to apply as PCG trainees?
Whether you’re applying for the non-officer or officer position, you must submit the eligibility requirements first. Then you need to pass the Aptitude Battery Test, dental and medical exams, and go through the final deliberation.
3. Are there career improvement opportunities for PCG personnel?
There are so many career improvement opportunities for Coast Guard personnel. For example, you can enjoy education and training programs to further enhance your skills and knowledge about maritime laws and resource protection. Based on achievements and performance, personnel can be promoted and increase their salary.
4. How long until the recruitment process is completed?
Depending on how many applicants submit their requirements and the resources available, the PCG recruitment process may take up to a few months. There are several stages that applicants need to undergo including the ABT, medical exams, and the final deliberation.
5. What does the Philippine Coast Guard do?
The Philippine Coast Guard enforces maritime laws in order to safeguard life and property at sea within the Philippine waters. It serves as a water police to ensure that appropriate rules and regulations are being upheld and and that Filipinos remain safe against potential attacks from foreign countries.
Summary
At this point, you already know how important it is for the Philippines to have the Philippine Coast Guard in terms of enforcing laws within the jurisdiction of the country. If you’re interested in joining this law enforcement agency, you need to understand that it requires hard work, commitment, and dedication to serve the entire nation. Make sure to meet the qualifications and secure the requirements before applying.